Section 330.10. Equipment requirements and standards.

  A motor bus shall comply with the following equipment requirements and standards:

(1)   Aisle width. The center aisle shall have a minimum clearance of 12 inches in width. The center aisle shall extend from the driver's compartment to the rear of the vehicle or to the seat of a bench seat installed across the rear width of the vehicle.

(2)   Battery. The battery shall be securely installed to prevent dislocation in the event of an accident in the manner provided in 49 CFR 393.30 , except that the battery may not be installed in the passenger compartment.

(3)   Brakes. Brakes shall conform to the requirements under 49 CFR 393.40 to 393.52 and applicable standards under 49 CFR 571.105 and 571.121 .

(4)   Bumpers. The front bumper shall have at least an 8-inch face and shall extend at least between the frame rails. The bumper shall be of sufficient strength and shall be positioned to permit pushing a vehicle of similar weight without permanent distortion to the bumper, chassis or body. The rear bumper shall be of sufficient strength and shall be positioned as specified in 49 CFR 393.86 to permit the motor bus to be pushed without permanent distortion to either the bumper or body. Bumpers may not be missing, loosely attached or protruding beyond the confines of the vehicle so as to create a hazard.

(5)   Defroster. The defrosting system shall comply with the requirements under 49 CFR 393.79 .

(6)   Drive shaft and universal joints. The drive shaft shall be protected as provided in 49 CFR 393.89 . The universal joints and center bearing may not be loose or worn.

(7)   Emergency equipment. Emergency equipment, including fire extinguishers, shall conform to the requirements under 49 CFR 393.95 , except that the warning devices for a stopped motor bus may not include liquid-burning emergency flares.

(8)   Emergency exits. Emergency exits shall conform to the requirements under 49 CFR 393.61 , 393.62 , 393.63 and 393.92 and the applicable standards under 49 CFR 571.217 .

(9)   Exhaust system. In addition to the requirements under 49 CFR 393.83 , the exhaust system, including exhaust manifolds, joining gaskets, pipes from the muffler, tail pipe and pipes from the exhaust manifold, may not enter the passenger compartment at any location. The complete exhaust system shall be tightly connected and free of leaks.

(10)   Fenders. Each motor bus shall be equipped with fenders or shall have a body construction that provides protection from debris thrown by the vehicle's tires. All tire tread shall be within the fenders or protective body construction.

(11)   Floor. The floor shall conform to the requirements under 49 CFR 393.84 .

(12)   Frame. The frame shall conform to the requirements under 49 CFR 393.201 . Frames may be modified only as specified by a manufacturer to ensure conformity with applicable federal motor vehicle safety standards.

(13)   Fuel system. In addition to the requirements under 49 CFR 393.65 , 393.67 and 393.69 , the fuel tanks and fuel system shall be maintained free of leaks. The fuel tank shall be attached to the motor bus in a manner that prevents movement of the tank while the vehicle is in motion.

(14)   Heater.

(a) In addition to the requirements under 49 CFR 393.77 , a heater shall be capable of maintaining an inside temperature throughout the motor bus of not less than 50 ° fahrenheit at average minimum January temperatures as established by the U.S. department of commerce weather bureau for the area in which the motor bus is operated.

(b) The heater hose shall be adequately supported to guard against excessive wear or abrasion and shall not interfere with or restrict the operation of any engine function. Heater lines inside the passenger compartment shall be shielded to prevent accidental contact by the driver or passengers.

(15)   Horn. A motor bus shall be equipped with a horn in good working order and capable of emitting a sound audible under normal traffic conditions from a distance of not less than 200 feet.

(16)   Instruments and gauges. Every motor bus originally equipped with any of the following instruments, warning devices or gauges shall be maintained with that equipment or a comparable replacement in good working condition:

(a) Air pressure or vacuum gauge, where air or vacuum brakes are used, with a low energy supply warning system.

(b) Electrical output gauge.

(c) Fuel gauge.

(d) Odometer or hubodometer.

(e) Oil pressure gauge.

(f) Speedometer.

(g) Coolant temperature gauge.

(17)   Lights, lamps and reflectors. Lighting devices and reflectors shall conform to the requirement for color, position and type under 49 CFR 393.9 to 393.26 .

(18)   Mirrors.

(a) There shall be 2 outside rearview mirrors, one to the right and one to the left of the driver. Each mirror shall be firmly supported and adjustable to give the driver a clear view past both the right and left rear of the bus as provided under 49 CFR 393.80 and 571.111 .

(b) In addition to the mirrors under par. (a) , there may be an adjustable convex mirror mounted on the left and right front sides of the motor bus to provide an additional close-in field of vision of the front of the bus and rearward. The convex mirror may be mounted separately or attached to the mirrors under par. (a) in a manner that does not reduce the driver's view. Mirrors may not be broken, cracked or discolored.

(19)   Openings. All openings in the floorboard or firewall between chassis and passenger compartment, such as for the gear shift lever and auxiliary brake lever, shall be sealed to prevent fumes or foreign material from entering the passenger compartment. The motor bus shall be free of rusted or deteriorated areas that could permit foreign substances to enter the interior of the vehicle.

(20)   Seating.

(a) All seats shall be securely fastened to that part or parts of the body that support them. Any seat cushions shall be fastened so as to prevent them from disengaging from the seat frames in event of an accident. Seat cushions and seat backs may not have any torn or worn-through covering material.

(b) A motor bus may not be equipped with aisle seats unless those seats are so designed and installed as to automatically fold when they are unoccupied and leave a clear aisle with a minimum clearance of 12 inches in width.

(21)   Front service door.

(a) The front service door shall be under control of the driver and so designed as to prevent accidental opening or closing.

(b) The front service door shall be located on the right side of the bus and within the view of the driver.

(c) The front service door shall have a minimum horizontal opening of 24 inches and a minimum vertical opening of 68 inches.

(d) Any translucent panel in the front service door shall be of safety glass, plexiglass, polycarbonate or a similar material that provides an equivalent level of safety.

(22)   Rear exit door. A motor bus equipped with a separate exit door shall conform to the following:

(a) The exit door shall be located on the right side to the rear of the center of the passenger section.

(b) The exit door shall be a double or single folding-type door, or a 2-section push-type door. Each section of a double-folding door shall have a pliant edge at least 2 inches wide, and each single-folding door shall have a pliant edge at least 3 inches wide. Each section of a push-type door shall have a pliant edge of at least one-half inch wide.

(c) The exit door shall have a minimum horizontal open clearance of 24 inches at the center, 22 inches at the top and bottom, and a minimum vertical open clearance of 68 inches. The exit door may not open inwardly.

(d) The exit door shall have all the following:

1. The words "EXIT DOOR" conspicuously lettered on the interior of the door or immediately adjacent to the door, in letters at least 1N inches high.

2. An interlocking device to prevent the bus from moving when the exit door is open.

(e) The pliant edges of a folding-type exit door shall be sensitized so as to actuate reverse action of the door. The pliant edges of a folding-type exit door shall be connected to a warning signal.

(f) Push-type exit doors need not be equipped with sensitized edges if the door control mechanism is designed to do all the following:

1. Delay release of the brake interlock until after the doors are completely closed.

2. Prevent the doors from being unlocked by the driver's door control while pressure is applied on the inside of the doors.

3. Lock the doors closed mechanically in case of electric power failure.

4. Illuminate a light above the door that indicates the door is unlocked and may be opened.

(g) The exit door may not be used when the motor bus is operated under contract as provided in s. 121.55 (1) (a) or (d) , Stats., to transport pupils to or from a public or private school or is otherwise operated on a special route for the purpose of transporting pupils to or from public or private schools, except in an emergency.

(23)   Standee line or bar. A motor bus designed and constructed to allow standees shall conform to the marking and operation requirements under 49 CFR 393.90 .

(24)   Steering. The steering system shall conform to the requirements under 49 CFR 393.209 . The steering system shall be maintained in accordance with the manufacturer's specifications.

(25)   Steps.

(a) The first step at the front service door may not be more than 16 inches from the ground.

(b) The riser of any step may not be more than 15 inches in height. If there are 2 or more risers, each shall be approximately equal in height.

(c) Except for a retractable step that is extended when passengers enter or leave the motor bus, a step may not protrude beyond the widest part of the body.

(d) Each step shall be covered with or constructed of nonskid material.

(e) All steps shall be enclosed to prevent the accumulation of ice or snow.

(f) Any stepwell light designed to illuminate the steps automatically upon opening the service door shall be operational during the hours of darkness.

(g) Each motor bus shall be equipped with a grab handle at least 10 inches in length, located inside the front service door entrance, for assistance when entering or leaving the vehicle.

(26)   Sunshield. Each motor bus shall have an interior sunshield not less than 6 by 16 inches in size installed above the windshield in front of the driver's seat.

(27)   Suspension system. In addition to the requirements under 49 CFR 393.207 , all suspension parts, including mountings, shackles, U-bolts, airbags and all connecting air lines, shall be maintained in good working order.

(28)   Tires. In addition to the requirements for motor bus tires under 49 CFR 393.75 , a motor bus may not be operated with tires of a different size on the same axle.

(29)   Wheels. Wheels shall conform to requirements for wheel integrity under 49 CFR 393.205 .

(30)   Windows and windshields. Windows and windshields shall conform to the applicable requirements under 49 CFR 393.60 , 393.61 , 393.62 , 393.63 and 571.217 and to the following:

(a) All windows that open shall operate freely. Any side window latches shall be capable of holding the window securely in place in all positions.

(b) All exposed edges shall be banded or ground to eliminate sharp or rough areas.

(c) If an emergency window is originally equipped with an automatically operated, audible signal to indicate to the driver that the window is unlatched when the ignition is in the "on" position, no cut-off may be installed in the audible signal circuit.

(31)   Windshield wipers and washers.

(a) In addition to the requirements for windshield wipers under 49 CFR 393.78 , the windshield wiper system shall have at least 2 speeds or a variable speed motor.

(b) If a motor bus is originally equipped with a windshield washer system that provide s fluid for the windshield wipers to clean the windshield, the system shall be maintained in operational condition.

(32)   Wiring. Wiring shall conform to the requirements under 49 CFR 393.27 to 393.29 , 393.31 and 393.33 .

History: Cr. Register, May, 1991, No. 425 , eff. 6-1-91.